ANOTHER look at the strategy for the Athlone to Galway city Greenway has been called for by an IFA representative to ensure that the route serves local families and communities – as well as tourists.

Galway IFA Rural Development Representative, Peter Gohery, said that a common-sense approach in relation to the Greenway would steer it towards benefitting local communities as well as tourists.

“There is a lot more consultation with farmers and landowners needed on this project and there are many sections of roadway along this route which would lend themselves to the provision of a walkway cum cycleway alongside the road.

“Not only would this serve the tourism element of the project but it would also ensure that car usage between local villages and towns would also be reduced. This is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Peter Gohery.

He added that a perfect example of such an arrangement was in an approximately five kilometre stretch of roadway between Abbeyknockmoy village and Brooklodge in North Galway.  alongside the very busy N63 Galway-Roscommon stretch of road.

“This has turned out to be an outstanding success not only for local people but for the many more visitors who travel to walk or cycle along this route.

“There’s a kerb and a green margin between the roadway and the walkway/cycle way which is busy seven days a week with people along this route.

“Families and children really make wonderful use of this facility. I want Galway County Council to take a look at this and see how successful it is. It really is a template that should be followed in terms of the Greenway development,” said Peter Gohery.

He also said that there needed to be far more ‘real consultation’ with landowners and farmers on the Greenway.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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